Kicking off the first week of August, we’ve put together a set list filled with enough uplifting melodies, rocking guitar, and smooth jazz to make you forget that summer is almost over.

So, grab your headphones and jump into this week’s DETROIT PROUD Playlist! See which big-time stars made our list this week…you might be surprised they’re from Metro Detroit!

(credit: en.wikipedia.org/Marvin_Gaye)

Marvin Gaye – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”
Grammy Award-winning Motown musician Marvin Gaye has topped the charts over and over again with hits like “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” and “Let’s Get It On” – and was even inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Watch him perform live here!

(credit: reverbnation.com/melinamarie)

Melina Marie – “It’s Over”
Think part rock-chick of Alanis Morissette, part girly-acoustic melodies of Liz Phair, and part punk-pop of Avril Lavigne – then sprinkle on the bellowing vocals of Muse, and you’ve got yourself Melina Marie. She’s a singer songwriter with a voice that must be heard to believe. Hear “It’s Over” and more songs here!

(credit: en.wikipedia.org/Lucky_Thompson)

Lucky Thompson – “In a Sentimental Mood”
Sophisticated, harmonic jazz musician Lucky Thompson taught himself saxophone fingers on a broomstick while raising his siblings after his mother died. He’s most remembered for bringing the soprano saxophone out of obsolescence in the early 1960s. Hear the song “In a Sentimental Mood” here!

(credit: reverbnation.com/thewallclocks)

The Wall Clocks – “Time Goes By”
The Wall Clocks take their edgy rock sound and layer it under acoustic guitar and piano melodies for a sound that’s all their own. Their live energy when performing is uplifting; perhaps that’s why Ambassador Magazine named them the “Best Local Band.” Check out more from The Wall Clocks here!

(credit: en.wikipedia.org/Aaliyah_(Musician))

Aaliyah – “Try Again”
For having such a short run in the spotlight, she’s credited for “leaving an indelible imprint on the music industry as a whole.” Aaliyah once described her music as “street but sweet,” as she her angelic voice overlays a “hard” beat. Check out the music video for “Try Again” here!

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dance Floor)”
The quickly growing-in-fame indie-pop band was first suggested the name “Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.” as a joke, but it stuck. The band made sure to let Dale Earnhardt Jr. know that they weren’t making fun of him, and it’s been said that Dale is a fan of their music! Watch the video for their new single here!

(credit: en.wikipedia.org/Tally_Hall_(Band))

Tally Hall – “Good Day”
Members of this pop-rock band once described their music as “wonky rock,” as they combine quirky lyrics over bubbly melodies. Tally Hall got their name from the name of an indoor shopping plaza on Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills, Michigan! Watch the music video for the song “Good Day” here!

(credit: scind.bandcamp.com)

SCIND – “The Edge Of Your World”
This rock-metal inspired band from Ann Arbor incorporates influences from Nine Inch Nails, Muse, and Ministry for an overall darker ambiance of sound, but with a danceable beat. Check out their Bandcamp page here for more tunes!

(credit: last.fm)

Breathing Underwater – “Rain Clouds”
The short-lived Detroit rock band Breathing Underwater is not so easily forgotten. Their high-energy punk-rock-pop sound is contagious – hear the song “Rain Clouds” here!

(credit: en.wikipedia.com/Bob_Seger)

Bob Seger – “Night Moves”
Bob Seger, born and raised in Metro Detroit, first achieved commercial success in 1976 for his album “Night Moves.” The title track off the album, “Night Moves” went on to reach number 4 on the Billboard pop singles charts, but the raspy-echoing vocals from Bob Seger are what most remember him by. Watch him perform the song “Night Moves” live here!

Your fave band not listed here? Tell us about them in the comments, and we’ll check ’em out!